By Mary Ann Bourbeau
FREEHOLD – Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced the first wave of artists to appear at ParkStage, the outdoor summer concert venue coming to the East Freehold Fairgrounds this spring.
Sublime will kick off the series with a show Friday, June 19, as part of the North2Shore Festival. The Head and the Heart, also part of the North2Shore Festival, will perform Friday, June 26, with special guests Wilderado. Saturday, July 11, brings the B-52s with special guests The English Beat.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, through parkstage.org and ticketmaster.com. Additional shows will be announced this winter and spring.
ParkStage is a collaboration between the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Monmouth County Tourism. The venue will offer fans a number of ticketing options, including elevated VIP platforms, an upfront pit section and a vast general admission area.
“We are thrilled about our first announcements for this unique summer series,” said Adam Philipson, president and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. “We are excited to partner with the county to create ParkStage as we celebrate our centennial and America 250. This outdoor venue gives us a new way to present live entertainment that brings people together for unforgettable experiences,” he said.
As part of Monmouth County’s larger effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, as well as the Count Basie Center’s centennial, ParkStage will become a marquee destination for live entertainment in New Jersey, drawing thousands of attendees to a variety of shows including music, comedy and more, organizers say. The venue offers access from all major roadways, free on-site parking and VIP accommodations.
The article originally appeared in the January 29 – February 4, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
